Best Spots to Explore San Juan Island’s Rich History

From the two National Historical Parks remembering the last war fought on American soil to the sites of traditional hunting and fishing camps of the Coast Salish people from thousands of years ago, San Juan Island has the most fascinating past.

Start by exploring the former fishing village of Friday Harbor and its many historic buildings. Don’t miss the Exaggeration Postcards, a new outdoor exhibit in Sunshine Alley, depicting this art form popular between 1900 and 1940. But there is more, so much more. Find the best spots to explore the isle’s turbulent past in this article History Lives Here on San Juan Island.

Cool New Things to Check Out this Spring in Friday Harbor and on San Juan Island

One of the joys of visiting Friday Harbor and San Juan Island in Spring is checking out what’s new each year and what fun places and cool adventures our artistic and creative San Juan Islanders dreamt up and realized. Let us share our absolute favorites with you:

 Lunch at the Net Shed

Once a rustic, cozy wedding venue at the beautiful Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm, the Net Shed reimagined itself as a lunch destination with amble outdoor seating by the bay and a menu to die for. Choose oysters baked to perfection or freshly chucked on a bed of rock salt, clam or mussel bowls, local bread and cheeses, all paired with the most sumptuous local wine and beer. A total treat.

Insider Tip: Reserve a table outside, with view of the farm.

 Open Mic at Everelse

This tasting lounge and natural wine bar with the most beautiful outdoor wine garden is right in the heart of Friday Harbor. Don’t miss the Sunday open mics, food pop-up and live music events and treat yourself to the best local wines and a yummy charcuterie plate.

Insider Tip: Visit for Happy Hour from 3:00pm-6:00pm.

Electric FUV’s at Susie’s Mopeds

Susie’s offers new, so very cool, electric Fun Utility Vehicles to rent this Summer. Perfect for leaving your car on the mainland and keeping the island air clean. Those puppies have seat warmers, handwarmers and can go 70 miles on one charge, which is plenty for our little isle.

Insider Tip: Make your reservation before you arrive.

A Picnic from Picknick

This cute wine bar by the waterfront offers exceptional picnic baskets for all occasions and tastes with an emphasis on simple, fresh fare. Picnics come with compostable plates and silverware. Have a flight of wine while waiting for your graze box from land or sea, then head to a guided whale watching tour or the beach for sunset.

Insider Tip: The entire shop has a 20% off sale through May 22, 2022.

5 Dazzling Wildflower Hikes on San Juan Island

It’s spring on San Juan Island and the isle is eager to show off what’s fresh and new. Go cocktail and dessert hopping in charming, walkable Friday Harbor. Slurp fresh oysters on the beach. Go kayaking or whale watching. Hear the Red Winged Blackbirds calling and watch the fox pups playing on the wildflower covered prairies. Join us this April for Native Plant Appreciation Month and find 5 Dazzling Wildflower Hikes on San Juan Island here.

LGBTQA+ Inclusive Guide to Friday Harbor & San Juan Island

San Juan Island, 65 miles north of Seattle and reachable by small plane, private boat or the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, is safe, fun and super friendly. Living on a small island in a close-knit community makes being bigoted a lot more arduous. It’s hard to hate up close.

San Juan County had a voter turnout of over 90% with over 70% voting democratic in the 2020 general election. More working artist live here than in any other county in Washington State. The isle is also a forerunner in environmental stewardship, has no fast-food chains, billboards or traffic lights. It’s fairly straight and white, in an adorable coastal town with flower baskets kind of way. A lot less boho than Olympia or Seattle, there is no scene, but you can show up anywhere, in the fanciest restaurant or the most casual watering hole, however you feel like and will be welcomed.

Favorite Places to Stay

Check out the Earthbox Inn & Spa, a retro motor inn with heated indoor pool, sauna & hot tub, beautiful gardens and an onsite spa. They are in walking distance to everything in Friday Harbor, help book whale watching and kayak tours for you and offer wedding group discounts in early Spring and late Fall. Their adorable, little sister hotel is the Bird Rock Hotel, a block and a half from the ferry dock. It’s run like an air b&b and features 15 unique rooms, from deluxe suites with harbor view and two person jetted tub to very affordable, small European sleeping rooms with shared baths.

Former Fishing Village by the Salish Sea

There are over 20 restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros in Friday Harbor; all in walking distance to the ferry dock. Six wine bars, nine galleries, three museums and countless antique shops and cute boutiques are lining the streets. Explore the Saturday Farmer’s Market, arts fairs, Summer festivals and tons of free, live music in this completely walkable, cute place.

Wild Things

San Juan Island is famous for its excellent whale and wildlife watching. The whale watch park with its iconic lighthouse is one of the best places to see Orcas from land on earth. The isle has more nesting Bald Eagle couples per shoreline than any other county in Washington State. Go birding, watch seals, sea lions and otters from shore and foxes and bunnies frolic on the prairie. Please always stay at least 75 feet away and keep the pup on the leash.

Bucket List Adventures

Take a wild ride on an open zodiac to go see Orcas and Humpbacks and Greys. Take a flight lesson around the nearest volcano. Explore the Salish Sea at sunset by kayak and glide through the wonderous bioluminescence. Shuck your own oysters at the beach. Charter a 1939 classic schooner and its experienced crew and have a blast.

Winter Wildlife San Juan Island

This time of the year is what we locals call the “secret season” on San Juan Island. Come on up for a cozy Winter getaway, get front row seating at your favorite restaurant and treat yourself to a pool and spa day at the lovely Earthbox Inn & Spa. Have the beaches to yourself and explore the stunning Winter wildlife on the isle. Orcas and eagles and swans, oh my! Check out what all you’ll get to see in this fun article Top Ten Winter Wildlife to Watch on San Juan Island.

Holiday Shopping in Friday Harbor – Heartfelt Gifts for Everyone on your List

Holiday shopping in the cute coastal town of Friday Harbor is our absolute favorite. Besides the farmer’s market, holiday fairs and tons of delightful shops, there are nine galleries and about 30 eateries in walking distance to the ferry landing. May your gift buying be pleasantly interrupted by dessert breaks, wine tastings, interludes of delectable appetizers and maybe even a massage at the Spa at Earthbox, where you get to use their heated pool and hot tub on the day you have an appointment. Can you say “relaxed”?

The Gift of Romance

Make someone’s dream come true with a lodging certificate to one of the romantic suites at the charming, historic Bird Rock Hotel in the heart of Friday Harbor. May we suggest the Marrowstone Suite with gas fireplace and private outdoor hot tub or the San Juan Suite with harbor view, aerated tub and private balcony? Don’t forget to add a bottle of bubbly in the room upon arrival.

The Gift of Island Adventure

Add a gift certificate to a guided whale watching tour with San Juan Safaris on one of their three, fun boats, for a chance to observe Orcas, Humpbacks, Greys, sea lions, Bald eagles and other wildlife, native to the pristine Salish Sea.

The Gift of Generosity

Adopt an Orca from the Friday Harbor Whale Museum and get your kid involved in stewardship of her sea and land. A family adoption of $60 per year includes such cool things as a personalized adoption certificate with photo of your whale, an informational booklet about the Southern Resident Orcas, subscription to the newsletter, patches, bumper stickers and a one-year Whale Museum membership for the entire family.

Island-made

The Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor store offers over 300 ways to lavender. Find everything purple here for personal care, household, therapy, pets, décor and lavender as a culinary herb. The store features unique lavender themed art by local artists.

Island Spirits 

With a distillery, a brewery, two cideries and quite a few vineyards right here on San Juan, spirits of the isle make a not only fabulous but distinctive souvenir for all occasions.

Island Art

Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are rich in history, culture and art. Experience the excellently curated art museum, explore native carvings, whimsical pottery and art collectives doubling as healing centers. Meander the 20-acre art garden on the north end of the isle at sunset and remember when you are buying from an artist you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul, a small piece of somebody else’s life.

5 Fall Favorites on Fabulous San Juan Island

Fall in Friday Harbor and on San Juan Island is truly fabulous and so worth a weekend outing. The isle exhales after a fun, busy summer and invites to birding and wildlife watching from the beaches, stunning hikes through dramatic fall foliage, excellent local fare and libations and deeply inspiring art. Come on up for a beautiful autumn adventure.

1. Gallery & Wine Bar Hopping

There are nine galleries and six wine bars within walking distance to the ferry dock, not to mention the countless cute boutiques and shops, restaurants and museums lining Friday Harbor’s streets. Make a day of intentionally indulging in our islander’s amazing creations.

2. Sunset Picnic at the Whale Watching Park

This is such a good time to see Orcas from land. Get take-out from your favorite restaurant or a premade picnic from Picnik, the new place under Downriggers and head to Lime Kiln State Park for sunset (around 6:00pm in October). Listen for whales breaching, eagles calling, waves gently lapping at the steep shore and be here now.

3. Spa Day at the Earthbox Inn & Spa

Stay at the Earthbox, the only hotel on the island with an indoor heated pool, sauna and hot tub. Request a Spa Decadence box in your room upon arrival and treat yourself to a luxurious massage at their adorable day spa.

4. Bliss out on Fall Farms

Virtually all of the over twenty farms on San Juan Island have farm stands or stores and offer free tastings or tours. Explore. Put baby on the most handsome pumpkin. Buy fresh flowers for your room. Stock up on San Juan Island ciders and spirits, fruits and cheeses. Bliss out on Fall abundance.

5. Wander to the Mountain Tops

Take a stroll up Mt Grant, Mt Young or Mt Finlayson and see the glory of the leaves turning. Watch hawks ride the thermals, go mushrooming, look for migrating Trumpeter Swans, red foxes, black tailed deer and wild turkeys and fill your lungs with the crisp autumn air.

Savor San Juan Island this Fall

Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are a real treat in autumn. Go whale watching, bike to a wine tasting, check out the new shops in town, take a farm tour, listen to live music, dine on the waterfront, visit the farmer’s market and the sculpture garden and treat yourself to a massage at the Spa at Earthbox. Because you deserve a relaxing getaway after this year!

San Juan Island with Kids

San Juan Island is pure paradise for families with little kids, starting with the most stunning ride on the Washington State ferry. There is beach combing, whale watching, the family art days, the whale museum, the sculpture garden with a place to make your own art, lighthouses, farm visits, fairs and an ice cream shop with 75 different flavors.

Check out this delightful article by Bird Rock guest Lisette Wolter-McKinley on how to Experience San Juan Island with Kids.